Long-term substitutes make up for lack of teachers

Albany- For a sneak peak of the future, take a look at Mrs. Mitchell's first grade class at Sherwood Acres Elementary School.

"They're my future," Mitchell said. "They're your future."

And they're not a dull group. That may be because education within these walls is mixed with a little laughter.

"I said no laughing at my fish," Mitchell said, as her class explodes in laughter over a hand-drawn fish on the board.

Mitchell looks like a veteran teacher, but actually she's not even a certified teacher. She came to Sherwood as a substitute.

"I thought it was going to be just for a couple of days."

More than three years later, she's a long-term sub. One of 35 in Dougherty County making up for a lack of certified teachers. But uncertified doesn't mean unqualified. Mitchell has a college degree and is taking classes to become a certified teacher. And she does everything a certified teacher does.